Canadians expecting baby in Australia

[Lovemycats]

Hello all,

Sorry if this has been asked before. I did not see the topic in any recent postings, so thought I'd jump in. My hubby and I are Canadians currently on a 457 visa in NSW, and we are expecting a baby in a month's time. I was wondering what needs to be done to register the birth, and any other required process. We have already contacted the Consulate here, and are waiting for a call back. In the meantime, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[comet555]

First off I would assume that you have private medical insurance since you're only on a temporary visa at the moment. My next question is how long have you had the insurance as there is usually a 1 year waiting list for obstetrics.

The exception of course is if you are on a temp visa and have applied for a permanent one. Once you apply for a permanent visa (while on a temp) you are immediately eligible for medicare. Little known fact but you can see the info at the medicare website.

As for what to do when the child is born, you child would gain whatever visa status you both had at the time. So if you are on a temporary visa then your child would also be on a temporary visa. I believe there would be some paperwork involved to add the baby to the visa or get a child one (not sure on the specifics). But I do know they definitely do not get citizenship (would need to have PR for that to happen).

I'm pretty sure you'll need to get a copy of the birth certificate and then appy for a Canadian Citizenship certificate. Also, I presume that both of you were born in Canada? Are you planning on going back to Canada at some point or will you be staying in Oz? I ask because if you were both born in Canada and your baby is born outside of Canada the only way they can pass on Canadian citizenship to their children (your grandkids) is if they have them in Canada (at the moment).

Here is a bit more info.
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/faq/birth_naissance-eng.asp

A few more things to read:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/lostc ... abies.html
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opi ... 970179.ece

[agnelson]

It is sufficient for one parent to be born or natuarlized in Canada for the baby to be Cdn citizen. S/he will be a Canadian "citizen by descent" which as comet pointed out cannot be passed down. This is new since April 2009. But, rest assured that citizenship cannot be lost, regardless on any inaction on your or your childs partcan it be lost.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/informatio ... .asp#rules

The only way for your grandchild to be Cdn at birth is if (a) that baby is born in canada or (b) your child has your grandchild with a person born or natualized in canada.

[Lovemycats]

Thanks for your responses.

To Comet - we are self-funded, for the very reason that you stated (1 yr waiting list, etc). In terms of GP's and OB's and hospitals, we already have all of that covered. Being self-funded is painful, but there is no other option to us at this time. We have also considered applying for the PR, although due to extenuating circumstances, I doubt that we will be able to apply before the birth. We do intend to stay in Australia for about 3 years (at least), and certainly see it as worth our while to apply for PR rather than live here on a temp visa.

To Agnelson - We have read all the details about our grandchildren not automatically getting Canadian citizenship if our kids are born overseas (which was a bit of a shock, but I am no longer allowed to fly, so we have no choice there, either lol). We are both Canadian by birth. I'm not worried about our children not having the citizenship; I was just wondering how to "register" them, and where. I'm not even thinking about the grandkids at this stage lol.
Thank you very much for the links. This site is incredibly helpful!

[agnelson]

No registration. You apply for citizenship card directly.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/proof.asp